Caption: Activists gathered to protest in Durban
The Face of Climate Change in Africa
Although Africa is treated as a single region in the reports of the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), in reality it is a huge landmass with many distinct climatic zones ranging from moist tropical equatorial systems through to seasonally arid tropical to sub-tropical climates.
Known officially as the 17th Conference of Parties (COP17) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the conference takes place in the coastal city of Durban.
The Durban International Conference Centre where COP17 is being held is set among indigenous African vegetation.
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Africa: The Face of Climate Change in the Continent
Greenpeace, 2 December 2011
As COP17 delegates sit in air-conned conference rooms and discuss climate change over coffee in the Baobab cafe, millions of people across Africa have never heard about the COP,… Read more »
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Africa: Putting the Fairness Back in Trade?
allAfrica, 2 December 2011
"Trade isn't always fair," argues Rob Cameron, CEO of Fairtrade International. "It's the imbalance in trade that makes it necessary for fair trade to exist." Read more »
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Namibia: Climate Change is Real, Not Science Fiction
Namibian, 2 December 2011
THERE is sufficient evidence to say that climate change is real in Namibia and around the globe. Read more »
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Kenya: Farm Exporters Get Guidance on Carbon Rules
ITC, 2 December 2011
Some of the world’s top experts in carbon and water standards will give guidance to Kenyan exporters of fruits, vegetables and cut flowers on complying with the tough import… Read more »
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South Africa: Developed Nations Try to Turn Green Climate Fund Into Greedy Corporate Fund
groundWork, 2 December 2011
Today 163 civil society organisations from 39 countries released a letter exposing an attempt led by the US, the UK and Japan to turn the Green Climate Fund into a “Greedy… Read more »
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South Africa: UN Rural Development Agency Says Climate Change and Food Security Challenges 'Inextricably Linked'
IFAD, 2 December 2011
The President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Kanayo F. Nwanze, urged negotiators at the global climate change conference to recognize that "there is… Read more »
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Africa: What Is At Stake in Durban
Fahamu, 1 December 2011
Civil society groups say the Durban conference is shaping up as a clash of paradigms between those who believe that the world needs a science- and rules-based multilateral climate… Read more »
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South Africa: Durban Climate Talks - Still Cause for Hope but Urgent Action Needed Says Christian Aid
Christian Aid, 1 December 2011
Governments have made little or no progress in official meetings at the Durban climate talks but their tactics in private meetings suggest there is still cause for hope, Christian… Read more »
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South Africa: Will Africa Lead the World Where Rich Countries Have Failed?
Friends of the Earth, 2 December 2011
Continued strong and united leadership by African governments is essential at the UN climate talks in South Africa if the world is to have a chance of avoiding catastrophic climate… Read more »
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Zambia: Experiencing Effects of Climate Change At Home
Times of Zambia, 30 November 2011
...Zambia too can get involved at individual level Read more »
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Africa: Financing Climate Justice
SEACC SF, 29 November 2011
The largest ever financial vehicle for the distribution of climate justice is soon to be on the negotiating table at COP 17. International delegates at COP 17 are gearing up to… Read more »
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Africa: Why Continent Must Remain United in Durban
IPS, 28 November 2011
African leaders have urged the international community to move the United Nations climate change negotiations, which started in Durban, South Africa on Monday, to a different… Read more »
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Africa: 'God Wants Us to Live in a Garden, Not a Desert'
IPS, 28 November 2011
The European Union plan to save the Kyoto Protocol may meet its greatest obstacle in the developing world. Read more »
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Africa: Coal - the Dirty Truth, a View From Cop17
Greenpeace, 30 November 2011
Burning coal is driving climate change - and Africa's people are on the frontline. So, as the continent's largest CO2 emitter, and the 12th largest in the world, South Africa is a… Read more »
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Africa: Climate Change Now Seen As a Question of Global Security
RNW Africa, 29 November 2011
Once viewed as an issue of interest only to greens or academics, the threat posed by climate change to security is now eyed with deepening concern by politicians and defence… Read more »
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South Africa: COP17 Very 'Unpredictable', Say Activists
BuaNews, 29 November 2011
COP17 is said to be the most unpredictable one yet, according to organisations belonging to the Climate Action Network International. Read more »
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Africa: COP 17's Youthful Hope in a Climate of Stale Politics
SEACC SF, 29 November 2011
The United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 17th Conference of the Parties (COP 17) kicked off in Durban today with one resounding message, "It always seems impossible… Read more »
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South Africa: Business Awaits Clarity On Carbon Tax Debate
African Arguments, 29 November 2011
The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change conference ('COP 17') started on Monday 28th in Durban. Whatever South Africa's contribution to the multilateral debate, the business… Read more »
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Africa: Climate Change Awareness Growing - UN
BuaNews, 27 November 2011
There is growing momentum amongst rich and developing nations to take action against global warming and climate change, UN climate head Christiana Figueres said on Sunday. Read more »
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South Africa: Green Movement Is the Future - Mbalula
BuaNews, 27 November 2011
South Africa must adopt pragmatic and ambitious goals for the green economy which is part of government's New Growth Path strategy, says Sport and Recreation Minister Fikile… Read more »
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South Africa: Archbishop Thabo - 'We Want Climate Justice Now!'
ACNS, 27 November 2011
This is the text of the greeting to the 'We Have Faith Act Now for Climate Justice' Rally, held at King's Park Stadium, Durban, on 27 November 2011. At the end of the multi-faith… Read more »
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Africa: Archbishop of Canterbury's Statement for the Climate Change Talks in Durban
ACNS, 27 November 2011
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has today released a video message of support at a multi-faith climate change rally and concert in Durban, hosted by Archbishop… Read more »
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South Africa: Youth Summit to Discuss Climate Change
BuaNews, 27 November 2011
President Jacob Zuma is expected to open a gathering of youths from more than 180 countries who will discuss climate change on Sunday. Read more »
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South Africa: Motlanthe Walks to Raise Awareness
BuaNews, 27 November 2011
A relaxed Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe earlier today completed a 3km walk along Durban's beachfront to raise awareness about the rising sea levels. Read more »
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Africa: Global Activists, Diplomats Seek Answers to Climate Change
The Herald, 28 November 2011
Beginning today, Durban, South Africa, will be the epicentre of the United Nations climate change negotiations, the 17th Conference of Parties meeting or COP17. Read more »
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Africa: Africa Moves for Climate Change Adaptation
Times of Zambia, 26 November 2011
The climate change conference set for Durban, South Africa starting on Monday November 28 provides an opportunity for the global community to reach a binding agreement towards the… Read more »
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Africa: Alarm Bells Sounding, UN Climate Chief Warns
SAPA, 27 November 2011
New research and findings are "sounding alarm bells" for urgent action to halt global warming, the United Nation's top official on climate change, Christiana Figueres, told… Read more »
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Africa: COP 17, A Veil of Ignorance and Veiled Interests
South East African Climate Consortium Student Forum, 26 November 2011
On the 17th of November, Grahamstown, a small town in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, held a roundtable on COP 17, bringing together stakeholders from across the community to… Read more »
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South Africa: COP 17 In Land of Fossils - A Critical Look at Hosts
SEACC SF, 26 November 2011
As South Africa draws nearer to hosting the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP 17) in Durban it is making many last minute moves… Read more »
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Tanzania: Climate Change Alarm Bells Ring Ever Louder
Citizen, 26 November 2011
Ten farmers, hunters and pastoralists from around the country gathered in the conference hall of the United Nations in Dar es Salaam last week to share experiences with and… Read more »
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Africa: Radical Change Needed At Climate Talks, Experts Say
IPS, 24 November 2011
Global leaders will gather next week in Durban, South Africa to determine how to cap global warming at two degrees Celsius. Read more »
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Africa: Cop 17 - Will Durban Advance the Climate Change Agenda?
SAIIA, 11 November 2011
On 28 November 2011 South Africa will replace Mexico as President of the 17th session of the Conference of Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate… Read more »
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South Africa: Community People - COP 17 is a 'Conference of Polluters'
Fahamu, 24 November 2011
Corporations have colluded with governments to capture climate change negotiations for their own interest. At the start of the 'Dirty Energy Week' in South Africa, participants… Read more »
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Africa: The Paralysis of Climate Change Negotiations
Fahamu, 24 November 2011
For Africa, writes Yash Tandon, liberation from imperialism overrides all other issues. So, to view negotiations about climate change as an isolated issue, as the left activists… Read more »
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Africa: One Year Since Cancun and Days From Durban
Fahamu, 24 November 2011
Pablo Solón writes that, throughout 2011 climate change negotiations have focused on form rather than content. In Durban, the negotiators will want to undo the Kyoto… Read more »
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Africa: Time to Occupy Durban's COP 17 Climate Summit
Fahamu, 24 November 2011
Patrick Bond makes the case for the occupation of Durban during the COP17 summit, due to take place in the city between 28 November and 9 December. Read more »
InFocus
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China will use its diplomatic skills at the COP17 meeting in South Africa to seek backing from climate changes major victims - Africa and the Small Island Developing States - in ... Read more »
